The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"To think there was someone who tried to harm Tiel..."

Illem furrowed his brow, his wrinkled face filled with concern.

The Arcadia of Everard was located far from the capital, so news traveled slowly. Furthermore, with the revival of Everard and the reconstruction of Arcadia occupying their attention, they had not received such news until now.

Therefore, both Illem and Karl were hearing for the first time that someone had tried to harm Tiel and that it was suspected the culprit had taken refuge in Nestian.

Karl put down the papers he had been holding and looked up at Illem.

"So, is he coming to Everard now?"

"No, it’s presumed he’s heading somewhere else."

"He enters Arcadia, but doesn’t come to Everard first?"

"Many families /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ still view Everard's restoration with suspicion. Nestian is likely one of them."

Illem’s words were correct.

Although Karl had become an adult last year, he had yet to undergo the official adult ceremony.

This was because many families didn’t look kindly on Everard regaining control over Arcadia.

Once Karl underwent the ceremony and officially became the head of Everard, no other family would dare challenge him, so due to their opposition, Karl had yet to complete the ceremony.

And that fact filled Karl with a sense of shame and humiliation, which made him dislike hearing about it.

"This is troubling. Where will Rowen Nestian stay during the festival?"

Karl naturally used formal speech. He still had the habit of calling Illem "Uncle Illem" from when he was young, and it had stayed with him.

Illem had told Karl several times not to use formal speech and to treat him as his equal, given his noble status and position, but Karl still used polite language when they were alone together. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Illem received the question with ease, as if he hadn’t even thought of correcting Karl.

"It seems she’s rented a mansion to stay in. She couldn’t possibly set up a tent for the festival. But, we haven’t prepared accommodation for Rowen Nestian yet..."

Illem’s eyes shifted as he considered the remaining space.

During the festival, Everard had expanded several houses and mansions to accommodate the guests coming to Arcadia.

The mansions and houses were allocated to the families that had expressed their intention to participate.

However, there was no space reserved for Nestian. Illem hesitated for a moment and continued,

"Well, if necessary, I’m sure they’ll ask for it themselves."

His tone was far from polite.

Since hearing that "someone had tried to harm Tiel" and that they had taken refuge in Nestian, both Illem and Karl had developed an antagonistic attitude toward Nestian.

Tiel was incredibly important to both Arcadia and to Illem and Karl.

Karl nonchalantly waved his hand as if not wanting to think about it further.

"They’ll handle it. I won’t worry about it. Instead, make sure to strengthen the guards around Tiel during the festival to ensure no one tries to harm her."

"Understood."

"Also, increase the security near where Tiel is staying, and assign Everard's elite knights as her guards so that no one can harm her during the festival."

Everard’s elite knights were, for the time being, the same knights that Illem led as Karl's guards.

Normally, these knights would be tasked with protecting the head of the house during the festival, but Illem nodded without hesitation.

Karl’s ability was water.

His ability would flow faster than anything else, swallowing up any opponents who dared challenge him.

Illem had no doubts about Karl's abilities, which is why he readily agreed to protect Tiel during the festival.

"And tell them to carefully monitor Tiel’s room so that she experiences no discomfort while she’s here. Have the maids regularly check her room and change the flowers that are sent in. If the same flowers keep coming, she might get bored of them."

"Well, those flowers... might be a bit too much, Lord. If it keeps going like this, the waterways might get blocked..."

"The yellow flowers that match Tiel’s eye color are fine, or perhaps the blue flowers that match the dress she’s wearing."

Karl didn’t listen to Illem’s concerns.

Illem, realizing there was no point in continuing to argue, simply agreed.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net, it has been stolen.

Illem and Karl’s conversation continued deep into the night. The full moon illuminated Arcadia, which had once been the "Land Without Morning."

The festival was fast approaching.

***

"Rowen, what brings you here?"

The Chancellor gently asked as he offered Rowen tea.

Rowen glanced at the steaming tea, then at the Chancellor.

"Nestian can’t miss a festival dedicated to the return of light to Crassion."

She said this without even taking a sip from the tea.

Her behavior was somewhat disrespectful in front of the Chancellor, but he chose not to comment on it.

"Lyset will be pleased. If you were to show your abilities that day, it would make her even happier."

It had already been declared that Tiel, Ferdie from Asterian, Clemence from Arne, Olivia from Wolfgang, and Karl from Everard would display their abilities at the festival to open the celebration.

If Rowen Nestian were to join as well, it would be a rare opportunity to witness the combined powers of the five great families and the light abilities.

Hearing this, Rowen slightly curled the corners of her lips in a smile.

Her expression seemed both confident and mocking.

"Yes, that’s exactly why I’m here—to display my abilities in front of the Beastkin of Crassion and show them the ‘true’ power of Lyset."

The Chancellor narrowed his eyes at her words.

"...‘True’ power? What do you mean by that, Rowen?"

Rowen removed her silk gloves and placed them on the table.

On her fingertips, there was a faint trace of black liquid, but it was too dark in the room for the Chancellor to notice.

Rowen removed her gloves and activated her abilities.

Small ice crystals gathered in the palm of her hand.

"...?"

The Chancellor squinted and watched Rowen use her abilities.

That was Nestian’s "freezing" ability.

But... there’s something different.

The Chancellor had observed Chender Nestian using the freezing ability up close before.

Additionally, Rowen had demonstrated her freezing ability during the "Luminarie" event.

At that time, the ice sculptures Rowen created had melted quickly under the flames created by Asterian’s abilities...

But now...

"...Hmm?"

A small light began to emanate from the ice crystals Rowen had formed.

It was clearly visible in the dark—light was leaking out from between the crystals.

Rowen narrowed her eyes and strengthened her abilities, causing the ice crystals to collide and change shape.

Then...

Fwoosh—!

A burst of light exploded, and the ice crystals transformed into shimmering fish, much like the ones that always surrounded Tiel when she used her abilities.

The Chancellor’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"...W-What is this?"

"This is light ability."

Rowen said confidently. The Chancellor’s surprise turned to disbelief as he shook his head.

"Only one person in this world is born with light abilities. There can’t be two suns... Moreover, Rowen, the ability you’ve used is more akin to freezing, not light!"

"But... think about it, Chancellor."

Rowen withdrew her ability and dropped her hand. In an instant, the light vanished, and the room fell into complete darkness.

Even the candles that had been illuminating the room flickered out, leaving the Chancellor unable to see Rowen’s face.

Rowen slowly continued speaking.

"When the light fades, doesn’t that make the only light I possess the true one?"

"...What are you saying?"

"Wait until the festival. You’ll see what the ‘real’ power of Lyset is, and what power can truly change the world..."

Rowen chuckled lightly in the darkness. The Chancellor stood frozen, unable to respond, until Rowen left the room.

The tea that had once been steaming was now cold, with no warmth left to it.